Spray painting machine



Dec. 30, 1958 H. E. McAR'l-Hu ErAL 2,866,434

SPRAY PAINTING MACHINE Filed sept. 1o, 1951 4 sheets-sheet. 1

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SPRAY PAINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet- 2 Dec.l30, 1958 H, E, MacARTHuR I-II'AL 2,866,434

.SPRAY PAINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 10, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 30, 1958 H, E, MacARTHUR HAL 2,866,434

SPRAY PAINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1o, 1951 4 Sheets-sheet. 4

United States Patent() 2,866,434 SPRAY PAINTING MACHINE' Hamilton E. MacArthur and Robert B. Way,-Toledo,

Ohio, assignors to Conforming Matrix Corporation,

Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ghio Application September 10, 1951, Serial No. 245,864

15 Claims. (Cl. 118-301) mask. The coating or spraying operation may occur when the relative movement between the spray gunor guns and the item of work is stopped, or during relative movement between the spray gun or guns and the item of work.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention at a table or desk in a production line; y

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic lay-out of piping controls of wide range of performance llexibility in the installation of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a detail view in side elevation of a timer for interacting between the guns and work for intermittent speed control;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan View of `vone embodiment showing an oscillatory mask carrier for work on the desk of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view from the line V--V, Fig. 4, showing the support for the mask and the location of a spray gun relative thereto; Y

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment showing a fixed carrier for work on the desk of Fig. l, and means for reciprocating the guns relatively to the work;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail on the'line VII-VII, Fig. 6, showing a manually movable -seat for work and the relatively adjustable location of the spray gun;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, with portions broken away, of an agitated pigment supply system and its connections with the piping controls for the embodiment of Fig. l;

Fig. 9 is a front View of an embodiment of the present invention adapted to a step-by-step rotated work carry ing table;

Fig. 10 is a partial plan view of the table of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 1l is a diagrammatic lay-out of piping controls adapted to the embodiment of Figs. 9, 10, including those for the operation of the table.

The desk Items 1 (Fig. 1) of work to receive treatment, as spray painting, may be on a conveyor 2. There is wide range of adaptation hereunder, 4for the location of the conveyor 2, which location may be determined -by production, or other plant set-up requirements. Accordingly there may be brought into position conveniently for access to such conveyor 2 supply of items 1, a desk having a top 3. An operator at the desk 3 may transfer articles 1 in succession to a carrier 4 on the top 3 of the desk, which carrier in- 2,866,434 Patented Dee. 30,1958

cludes a mask 5 onto which the items or articles 1 are" seated, which mask is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, also to include a separate section 6. Upon the passing of theinterval `for treatment of the article 1 at the mask'S, such treated article 1 may be taken from the mask, placed back on the conveyor 2, or other removal course, and another` item 1 placed on the mask 5 foridentical treatment.

At the left from the desk top 3 (Fig. l) there is shownl a cabinet section 7 in which may be housed tool apparatus incidental to carrying on with operation of the equip--` ment. While it is more usual to have pigment supply exposed outside of the cabinet, upon occasion one or more pigment supply' units may be located in the section 7.

A pigment supply reservoir 9 (Fig. 8) has duct connections 10, 11, to a valve 12 at a pump 13 driven by a motor 13', Ythereby establishing sutcient agitation to maintain the pigment, `say especially of metal type paints, insuspens'i'on. With lacquers or pigments, where thel suspension problem is not sogreat, an agitator reservoir (lett center Fig. 2) may be positioned in the cabinet sec# tion 7.

The cabinet at the right of the desk portion 3 has an instrument panel section 14 (Fig. l). Paint guns or tools"` 15 (Figs. 1 and 5..) are adjustably carried on rods 3" lo-r cated below and parallel to the desk 3, and definitely focus on the ports in the mask 5, 6. n

The planel At the upper left of the panel 14' (Fig. l) is a dial orA valve 92 (bottom Fig. 2) to adjust the time the gun orv guns are open. During such operation or painting interf.A

val 4for the equipment, the tool or gun and work'may be at rest. The lsetting of this control valve92 determines` the volume of pigment discharged toward the mask port. A control valve 17 (upper center Fig. 2) at `the lower yleft of the panel 14 determines the rateof relative move-Y Thisis achange-over valve for widening the range of i pressed air, there 'is minimized occasion for tire hazard. y The pressure of this motive airsupply is regulated by 'the'.A

operator thru a valve 19 (upper right center Fig. 2)"l on the panel 14', and checking of the pressure thus regulated maybe had thru observation'of a gage 20.

'Due to the fact that in the equipment some moving parts are shifted by air, self-lubrication thereof` is'effected thru-a valve 21 (right center Fig. 2) determining the dripping-in of an oil to be dispersed as a vapor in the' power air supply.

Sediment accumulationor drain from a filter to remove particles from the compressed in-coming air is taken care of by a valve 22 in a line from a lilter 23 (upperrright Fig. 2).

v A gage 24 (upper left center Fig. 2) shows the pressure'` i of the compressed air to the a valve 25. v y .y

Avalve (lower left Fig. 2) may be adjusted to slow` up the recycling speed, return or other stroke direction from that controlled by the valve 17 if the interval be for' movement, or `by the valve 92 'if the interval be rest or non-travel. The grouping of the manually operable valves at the panel 14 is a factor of eiciency for an op. erator to control the vario-us phases of functioning of the equipment jof this disclosure.'

guns 15* as adjustedbyy asomar 3 `Non-pgment-carryng air to thespray guns A compressed air supplyV line 27 (right Figs. 1, 2) desirably'carries apressure ranging. from 80# to 100# per sq. in. Amain valve.28, asopened, allows ilow by arline129` tothelter 23. A line.30 from the filter is to tbeypressurenregulator valve. 25, from which is a line 31 havngra. branch. to the gage 24. The. line 31 proper extends to a multi-gun manifold 32 as a distributor for lines 33 to the respective spray gun's 15.

` Thedrip` valve 21 (upper right Fig. 2) is at a reservoir 34.for vaporizing` a `liquid 3S. The line 30-has a branch 36 to the valvel19 and'extending past the gage 20 to the valve 21. The liquid 35 may be of-27 Baum engineoilof petroleum stock, thinned by aboutan equal volume of 40 Baum kerosene. Inthe4 event sediment be. developed,l a` lter :23' may strain such out for the ow toa take-off line.38 extending to a normally closed valve-39. When the installation isin service at the gun operating portion of the cyclethe.valve 39 is opened for the `lubricantcarrying -air to pass by a line 40 to a valve 41 adapted, as, the pressure is oi` therebeyond, to selfexhaust such .therebeyond'section However, upon application of pressure to the line 40, the valve 41 exhaust portis closed and there is ow by a line 42 .to a second distributing manifold 43. This manifold 43 is in parallel withtthe manifold 32 and has a line 44 extending to a spray gun 15 for lubricating air to shift moving parts in the gun.

The pigment supply The air line 30 has anbranch45 (left Fig. 2) to a valve 46 controlling flow in line 47 therefrom to a pigment supply reservoir 14 of'a typehaving provision for agitation4 action. Pigmentow from the reservoir 14 is controlled'bya valve49-to a line50 `extending to a third manifold 51, from which a line 52 is shown connected to one of the several guns 15. In the event there by purpose of taking precaution against settling out of pigment in its circuit, areturnline` 53 may provide' wayfor uninterruptedl owfor the pigment from the manifold 51 backto the reservoir 9 (Fig. 8). The pigment is dispersed onl the work` by the impelling air from theline 33 thru thegun' 15.

` The control timing Inradditionitothe panel 14 in convenient position as toA the .desk 3.for` the operator to use, there is afoot lever 54 (bottom Figs.- l, 2) normally held in oif position by a spring 55. When the operator rocks the lever 54 to snap clear of` the spring S5 into engagement `to be held by a spring `56, a branch line 57 (lower right Fig. 2) from the line 38 is connected for ow past a valve 58 to aY line` 59 to open a normally closed valve 60. The Y-ducts` shown in the section of the valve 58 in Fig. 2 are rotated by the-rocking of the lever 55 as' indicated `by thedash lineconnection between;thes`e elements illustrated in Fig. 2, so that when the lever 54 is tilted downwardly towards the holdingspring 56, the pressure in line l57. isconnectedto the duct 59 to operate the piston in the valve 60 to connect the ducts 65 and 66.

, `The line 57 has a branch.61 to an air port 62 at a timer. unit 63 `(center Figs. 2, 3). Aplunger 64 in the unit 63. has two` positions. When the plunger 64 is at the right (Fig. 2), ow from the line 61, past theport 62,.is connected in the unit63 to a line 65 extending, to the valve-60, which is now opened, connecting to a line 66 to an air-oil unit 67. An air cylinder end 68 ofthe unit 67 has therein a.piston 69 (lower left Fig. 2). A partition 70 separates the. air cylinder 63 from an oil cylinder 7.1.having therein a piston 72. A pistonrod 73 thru. the partition 70` andv connects` the pistonsV 1 The power` air brought .to the cylinder 68, by theline: 66,' acts thru the. piston 69` tomove the piston 72, the travel' of which is resisted byv incompressiblemedium or oil held back in a duct 74 by the metering valve 75 ad 4. justed for speedY control of the operation cycle herein. Accordingly there is restricted flow from the duct 74 thru the valve 75 and thence by a line 76 and past la check valve 77 (open in this direction) for free flow in a closed hydraulic circuit from one side of the piston 72 to the other. The oil cylinder'71 has, in parallel with the restricted flow control circuit 74, 75, 76, 77, a duct 78 with outowfrom `the cylinder 71 stopped by a one-way flow or check valve 79. The air cylinder 68 at the opposite side of the piston 69 fro-m the duct 66 connection, has a duct 80 to the Yunit 63 where the duct 80 is connected to an exhaust 81.

The'piston rod 73 thushas controlled rate ofv shifting toward the right :,(Fig.` 2) and on its end protruding from the cylinder structure 67, it has a strap spring bowed into a loop S2 providing a llexible connection to a rocker 83 (lower center Fig. 2 and right Fig. 3). The piston rod 73 in its thrust flexes the loop S2 to bring` the rocker 33 to ride on anormally-spring closed check valve 84. The' resulting pressure on the-valve 84 is supplemented by air pressure from aline 86 thru the valve 18 and a line 85 to the right endof the unit 63 which `has a seepage of air pressure from-the normally open line connection 87 with the port 62. The steady thrust travel direction of the rod 73 distorts the loop 82 to such extent that as the normally closed position of the check valve 84 is overcome, thereis` a quick snap opening of the valve 84 to exhaust the pressurein the lines and 86 from the timer unit 63.

However, with the units 63, 67, at the positions shown in Fig. 2, the pressure air from the line 66 shifts the loop 82 for the reverse distortion, thereby operating or opening the check valve 90 connected from the port 62, and a-seepage line 38 for flow from the unit 63 to a line 89. At this exhaust positiony for the left end of the unit 63, the plunger 64 therein shifts to Connect the port 62 with-the line 80, cutting off the exhaust 81, and simultaneously connecting an' exhaust 91 to the line 65. The bleeder or seepage ducts `87, 88, have capacity less than the spill at the` openedvalves 84, 90. The loop 82 in moving the rocker 83 clear of the valve 84 allowed it to close and by coming into contact with the valve 9d caused it to open.` `The duration interval for the rocking is sufficient for the bleeder ducts 87, 88, to build np pressure to operate the plunger 64. Theflag in' opening the valves 84, 90, is sufcientnot only for snap action for the valve openings, but also enables the air to act via the ducts 87, 88, to buildup pressure for quick shifting of the plunger 64.

From the cylinder 71 (lower leit Fig, 2) adjacent the partition 76, a duct92ihas exhaust flow controlled by metering orthrottle valvef92.' connected by a line 93 for free flow direction-past the valve '79 and thru thc duct 73 to the closed circuitback of the cylinder '71.

T he. control for the travel At thetime the rocker-83 acts for the plunger 64 in the unit 63 to connect the presure in the line 61 with thc line 63', this pressure is also connected thru line 93 (vertical center Fig. 2) which is abranch from the line 65 and extends to the self-exhausting regulator valve 17.

Thepressurc air from the line 93 branching from line 65 from the unit 63, automaticallyr closes the exhaust at the valve 17 and carries air pressure therebeycnd into a line 94 to a valve 95 providing a three-way cut-oit. A line 96 .connects this air from thevalve 95 to a power cylinde97 (upper right Fig. 2) `from which a piston rod 93extends. There is a piston 99 on the rod Jil in thc cylinder..97. Opposite. from the line 9,6, there is` a line Lilli?` from the cylinder 9.7. pasta manually controlablc three-way valve 10110 aline. 102 extending to an automatically-exhausting. valve 103. (upper center` Fig. 2), similarto the valve..17. The duct connections arc such Vthat atthereverse position ofthe plunger 64 in the unit 63 when the lines 65, 93', are connected to the exhaust 91, the exhaust S1 is cut off from the `line 80 which now has pressure thereto and extending from the unit 63 to be taken by a branch 104 to the valve 103 to shut off the automatic exhaust there and transmit pressure to the other end of the cylinder 97 reversely from that effective thru the line 93.

A portion of the piston rod 98, remote from the cylinder 97, has a tooth or rack portion 105 (top center Figs. 2, 4) in mesh with a gear 106 fixed' with the carrier 4 on the table or'deck 3. Oscillation or angular shifting is thus provided for the work carrier 4 and its work 1 resting thereon. With the mask 5, 6, movable with the carrier, a factor of importance is that the range or arc of relative shifting be slightly over the required limit for the treatment. For example, two guns on opposite sides of the oscillating carrier of Figs. 4, 5, the relative movement may be so set advantageously as over 180 and even up to 185. The cycle course is sufficiently not overlappingr to build up an excess of pigment on the article beingsprayed, whether the guns or the work are shifted.

The refinement of operation hereunder is achieved thru localizing the placing of the pigment to the area to be covered with a minimum of overspray around the port bounds of or openings in the mask. The gun adjustment thus aids accuracy for performance.

Definite control in the timing of the transit cycle is by an adjustable dashpot-like device. The piston rod 98 extends to a piston 107 (upper left Fig. 2) in a cyiinder 108. From the remote end of this cylinder 108 is a line 109 connected thru a check valve device 110 and a line 112 to the opposite end of the cylinder 108. It thus follows that the regulated position of the valve 17 determines the speed or time interval for one stroke direction of the piston rod 98 toward the right in Fig. 2. Responsive to this there is free flow direction in the closed hydraulic circuit at the piston 108 by the duct 112, freely in this direction of flow thru the check valve 110 and the'duct 109 back to the cylinder 108 at the opposite side of the piston 107. The total length of the cycle is open to further control thru the valve 26 bypassing the check valve 110 at the closed position for such check valve 110. This connection of the line 109 to the line 112 thereby provides a manually adjustable throttling of the oil flow in the reverse (or toward the left in Fig. 2) direction of shifting for the rod 98.

At a predetermined adjusted position along the outstroke of the piston rod 98 from the cylinder 97 is a cam 113 (top center, Fig. 2) to rock a lever 114 against the resistance of a compression spring 115. The shifted lever 114 opens a bleeder valve 116, similar to the valves 84, 90, to permit exhaust from a line 117 extending to the valve 18.

When the valve 18 is cut into the automatic timing thru the unit 63, there is no pressure on the line 117 and the operation of the valve 116 has no effect. However, when the timing unit 63 is cut out by turning the valve 18 away from the line 86 to connect the line 117 to the line 85, the cycling is now independent of the unit 67 and its rocker 825 action on the bleeder valve 34. That is, the valve 116 acts in lieu of the valve 84. The exhausting of the right end of the unit 63 connects the power air to flow from the unit 63 by the line 93' and on to the cylinder 97 in effecting the recovery stroke for the rod 98. During this interval, power air from the line 65 acts at the unit 67 on the rocker 83 and the bleeder valve 90, for the plunger 64 to connect the line 104 to operate the rod 98 outstroke to complete the cycle.

For moving the spray guns, there may be fixed with the piston ro-d 98 (Figs. 2, 6) an arm 118 cushioned by a spring 118' against impact with the cabinet 3 as well as to slow up the stroke end for slide rod 119 engaged by the rod 118. The rods 119 are parallel to the rod 9S and slidable in the cabinet 3 below the deck or top. Seated on the cabinet deck top 3 is'a fixed carrier 119 (Fig. 7) having masks 119 therein. Notches` or seats 122 along the seats for the masks 119 are in the carrier 119 providing finger entrance ways for readily grasping work items 121 in removal and placement. There is available nicety in locating the gun or guns 15 as to the downwardly exposed port or port regions of the mask 119. Clamps 15' may be shifted to fixed positions along the rods 119 to carry radially extending stem portions for mounting secondary clamps 15 at selected settings therealong. Angular set means or tertiary clamp 15 permit adjustment to a desired direction for the gun 15 as to the mask 119.

The mask 119 is shown as downwardly from the carrier 119, while the mask 5, 6, rises from its carrier 4 (Figs. 4, 5). Bridging means or wire support 120 holds the mask element t5 in position to be bounded by a port local to which the gun 15 is directed.

The equipment is adaptable to widely variant items of work in broad ranges of character of items, number of guns, with accurate focussing for precision masks of refinement details. From stationary to shifting, such may be oscillation or reciprocation,"and the intervals and speed definitely fixed. Uniform distribution of the pigment is within control.

At the air-oil unit 67, the closed oil circuit has replenishment and expansion compensation (lower left Fig. 2) by a branch 121' from the line 76 extending past a check valve 121" to a reserve reservoir 122' for oil 122 for replenishment inflow. Expansion outflow may be thru the line 121 past manually controlled cutoff three-way valve 121'" to a cylinder 123 having a pistonl 123' with a protruding rod 123 to provide an expansion balance by a connection 124 to the line 61 at the operating pressure of the equipment. As the rod 123 protrudes excessively,` the valve 121'" may be turned to reduce expansion oil volume in the chamber 123, and then the valve 121' reset.

Rotatable table carrier for the masks While the desk or cabinet has ready portability for locating temporarily at various stations, somewhat more permanence is had in a table 125 (Figs. 9, l0, 11) with a central pedestal 126. A fractional hood 127 may be provided and connected to a stack 129 for taking off fumes Y Beneath the table 125, ay power cylinder 134 has, pivotal mounting 215 at one end with a piston rod 135 protruding from the other end with pivotal connection to the arm 131 adjacent the free end of the arm. From the opposite side of the arm there is a speed control cylinder 136 having its piston rod 137 connected to the arm 131 near the connection thereto of the rod 135. After each time the table 125 has been shifted a predetermined angular distance and come to a stop po;ition, a plunger or arm 139 on the table operates a stationary valve 139 (lower leftpFig. 11). This valve 139 controls the operation of a gang 141 of mask in-register holders 140 (Fig. 9) which are then movable downwardly into an article engaging position to hold them'against their masks in the mask carriers 138 `on the table at the pigment applying station. Considering the predetermined shifting step to be 45, the guns 15 may be adjustably located beneath the table so that three adjacent carriers or groups step under the hood. Besides the pedestal 126, there is l 7 table` supporting means 142 providing a mounting for a radially movable plunger 143 (left Figs. 9,` l0; and lower left Fig. 1l) to come intoilocking register with a seat 144 on the movable tableat each angular shift of the table 125.

The table at rest The condition of the equipment at rest is rst taken into account. Compressed air supply comes in by the line 27 (upper right Fig. 1l) with the valve 23 opened for the air to` tlow by the line 29 to a lter 23. Sediment removal therefrom is controlled by a line past a valve 22 toa trap. The line 30 from the lter 23 is to the regulator valve 25, adjustment of which is shown by the gage 24 for air ow by the line 33 as the `atomizing air to the guns 15.

Also connected to the line 29 is the lilter 23 with `oil drip providing valve 21, of say two drops per hour, in ow `past the reservoir 34 and the strainer 23' and thence via the line 38 and a line 145 to a valve 146 (upper left Fig. 11), which is normally closed. The valve 146, as opened, causes a cylinder 147 to have a piston rod therefrom rockalever 14S to movea disk 149 away from a cylinder 150 against the action of a spring 151, which prevents the table 125 from moving, as will be described later.

When the arm 131 comes to rest (center Fig. l1) upon its return or swing to the right, a check valve or bleeder 152 (adjacent right of arm 131 in center of Fig.` 141) is` opened to exhaust air by way of a line 153 from la valve unit 154 (lower center Fig. 11).` From th e line38lby way of a master control valve 155 (right center-Fig 11) supply of lubricated power air is to a line 156y extending to the valve unit 154, similar to the valve unit 63.

The power air from the line 156 now passes thru the unit 154 and a line 157 to a cylinder 158 (lower center Fig. l1) etective to upwardly thrust the index or armconnecting pin 132 to enter One E the seats 133, which, ingthe assembly disclosed, are at 45 spacings iixedly located on the table 125.

Adjacent the check valve 152, the arm 131 connects aonther bleeder valve 159 forexhausting air from a line 160 extending to a valve unit 161 (near lower right center Fig. ll and similar to the units 154 and 163) for power air from the line 156, thru the unit 161, to go into aline 162 having the escape therefrom shut olf by release of a bleeder or checkvalve 163, due to engagement of the pin 132 into a seat 133 when the table 125 is at rest.

At a shorter radius portion, there is a third bleeder valve 164 to be contacted at return stop position of the arm 131, to open a line 165 to a third valve unit 166 (upper right center Fig. 1l, and similar to the units 161, 154 and 163) for release of air pressure thru a lineg167.

The power air supply line 167 now has` connection thru the valve unit 166 with a line 168 to a safety unit having a cylinder 169 (upper left Fig. ll) from which its piston rod is now thrust against a lever 170. T he lever 170 is thus positioned on its fulcrum 171 to be moved clear of a bleeder valve 172. This is the normal position for the lever 170 as urged oy a compression helical spring 173.

The table shift A In orderto` startfthe table for themachine to rotate `from its rest position, the valve 155 is turned on. Power thus owsby the line 167 and a branch 174 to a `valve unit and from thence by a line 176 to the armactuatingcylinder 134 to operate the piston rod 135 to swing; thearmu131 an angle ofy 45 in a clockwise direction. During theearliei' portion of this swinging moveigntlf-the arml .131, a bleeder valve 177 is opened by thearm 131 forescape of air thru va line 178 from the valve. unit 166. This permits va resetting of pressure. in `therlilie `165 thru the unit 166,v `'since the `bleeder 164 is now closed.

Adjustably mounted on the free end of the arm 131 is a cam 179 to ride against a. shoe 180 (near lower left center Fig. 11) of a springthrown plunger in a valve 181, which valve is in a closedhydraulic circuit acting as a cushion in throttling down or damping the latter stage or the swing of the arm 131 by restricting free ow of a liquid thru a line 182 from one end of the speed control cylinder 136 to the other and thereby hold back the free movement of the piston rod 137 in said cylinder connected to said arm 131. The ow from the line 182 thru the valve 181 is to a line 183 in completing this closed hydraulic circuit. In this angular swinging of the arm 131 to carry the table 125 a 45 step in its intermittent operation, the pin 132 operating the cylinder 15S (center Fig. 1i) moves along with the arm and pin 132, as well as the bleeder valve 163 and an operating arm 184 engaging the pin 132. As the pin 132 is retracted, means 185 thereon coact thru the arm 184 to move the arm to open the valve 163. A piston 186 (left center Fig. ll) in the speed control cylinder 136 and connected to the rod 137, has a one-way check valve 187 therein for free iiow of the liquid in its connected circuit as the arm 131 is released from the table 125 to swing counterclockwise back into its next position.

Arm release from the table for the arm return A fixed pedestal 187 (Fig. 9) beneath the table 125 provides a swing or turntable mounting 18S (Figs. 9, l1) for the speed control cylinder 136 to swing in conforming to the motion of the piston rod 137 with the rod 131.

Upon the clockwise swinging of the arm 131 to approach the limit of a step stroke in its half cycle operation, a bleeder valve 189 (left of the arm 131 in center Fig. l1) is contacted for releasing air in a line 190 from the valve unit 154 (bottom Fig. ll). The release of this air is eiective to connect the power air line 156 thru the unit 154 to a line 191 to act on the cylinder 158 for retracting the pin 132 from its seat 133 in the table 125. This operation of the cylinder 158 is permitted thru the connection of the line 157 thm the unit 154 to exhaust thru the line 190 and the bleeder valve 189 also opened bythe arm 131 in its half cycle limit position. The descent or retraction of the pin 132, thru the engaging means 185 and the arm 184, opens the bleeder valve 163 having the line 162 thereto from the unit 161. A branch of the line 156 to the unit 161 is now connected thru the unit 161 to supply pressure air to a line 192 to close a self-exhausting valve 193, similar to the valve 41, and to deliver power air to the power cylinder 134 to push its piston rod 135 and start the counterclockwise swinging of the arm 131 which has now been released from the table 125. The unit 161 now also puts a charge of air in the line 160 to the closed bleeder valve 159.

Adjacent the bleeder valve 189 is another bleeder valve 194 (left of the arm 131 in center Fig. l1) which is opened to allow spilling or release of air pressure from a line 195 extending to a valve unit 196 (lower left center Fig. 11).

From the unit 196 there is a line 197 to a cylinder 198 now effective to exhaust air from the cylinder 198 thru the unit 196. At the table lock unit 143 (lower left Fig. 11), the cylinder 198 is now released from holding thc locking bolt 143 Withdrawn, so that it can now be operated to lock the released table during return of the arm 131. The power air line 156 has a branch 200 to the unit 196 which is now connected thru a line 201 to a cylinder 202 operating in the reverse direction to that of the cylinder 198 to thrust the bolt 143 into the slightly overtravel position of the seat 144 on the table to wedge the table 125 back into an accurate stop position.

The cylinder 202, in completing its stroke for locating the locking bolt 143 in a seat 144,'acts to open a bleeder valve 203 having a line 204therefrom to a valve unit 205. Power air from the lines 156, 200, and a branch line 206 now passes thru the unit205 and a line` 207-10 .line 207 a line 209 extends to the table rest interlock cylinder 150 (upper left Fig. ll), which air in the line 209 opposes the action of the spring 151 and pushes the disk 149 clear of a normally held open bleeder valve 210 having a line 211 therefrom to the valve unit 175 (upper left Fig. 11). A spring 212, in the unit 175, is weaker than the air pressure at the unit 175, but when exhaust occurs, as described below thru the line 214 and a third bleeder valve 213 (left of the arm 131 center Fig. 1l), the spring 212 normally positions the unit to hold air pressure in the line 211 when the valve 210 is closed as now by having the disk 149 move clear of the valve 210. The spring 151 normally positions the disk 149 to hold the valve 210 open as a table rest interlock.

Also within the range for being acted upon by the table forward thrust of the arm 131 is the third bleeder valve 213 having the line 214 therefrom to the unit 175, which valve 213 is opened so the spring 212 will act to hold air pressure in the line 211. The line 214 is thus connected thru the unit 175 with the line 176 thus to exhaust the right end of the cylinder 134, so that power air by way of the line 156, the unit 161, the line 192, is effective in the cylinder 134 to swing the cylinder 134 on a xed pivot 215 and rock the arm 131 back to its start position.

At the time the valve unit 205 (lower left Fig. l1) has power air to the line 207, a line 216 from the unit 205 putsl air back of a closed bleeder valve 217 operated by table lock releasing cylinder 19S.

Adjustment or setting of the valves 75, 92 (upper center (Fig. 1l), of the timer and air-oil controls, determines the synchronizing interval for the delivery of pigments thru the guns 15. The equipment is automatic air powered with hydraulic adjustments to control the speed of cycling for loading of successive parts and also controlling separately the length of time the guns are open, thereby determining the amount of thickness of the paint applied. Painting is carried thru automatically. The cycles are controlled automatically to the desired speed for the operator or operators to place and remove the articles of work or the article carriers.`

Cutting-n of the timer control from the table The swinging of the arm 131 which operates the bleeder valve 194 and the valve unit 196 (lower left Fig. 11) to throw the bolt 143 into locking position with the table 125, establishes an air flow connection 218 from the unit 196 to a valve 219 (top center Fig. l1) to open the valve 219. Pressure air from the unit 63 by way of the line 80 has a branch 220 connected thru a valve 233 and the valve 219 to a line 221, effective to open the valve 39 for the flow of atomizing air to the respective guns 15.

At the end of the spraying operation as described above in connection with Fig. 2, when the other line 65 from the unit 63 is connected with the pressure to reset the spraying timing system, there is also applied pressure air to a branch line 222, which causes a cylinder 223 (upper left Fig. ll) of the safety unit to operate quickly to rock the lever 170 back from the position shown in Fig. `ll to open the valve 172, and, with delayed action, to operate a cylinder 224 to reset again the lever 170 as shown in Fig. ll. When the bleeder 164 is operated by the return of the arm 131 to rest position, then thru the unit 166 (upper right center Fig. ll) air pressure is taken oif the safety device 169, so that the rocking of the lever 170, caused by the cylinder 223, opens the bleeder 172 and thru a line 172 exhausts the unit 196. The unit 63 has this operation timed to occur after the painting interval, so that the unit 196 now cuts in power air from i time delay until recycle.

the line 200 to the line 197 to operate the cylinder 198 to withdraw the bolt 143 from table locking position` in a seat 144. In this shifting of the bolt 143, the piston from the cylinder 198 acts upon the bleeder valve 217 for allowing air to escape from the line 216 thru the unit 205 to take the air pressure off the valve 139, which in turn exhausts the hold-down cylinders 140, as well as the-table rest interlock cylinder (upper left Fig. 1l) so that the spring 151 Will shift the disk 149 to open again the valve 210, which now permits the arm 131 to be moved for the next step or swing by permitting power air to be applied to the sylinder 134 thru the line 176 to repeat the above cycle until the starting valve 155 is man ually closed.

At a location away from the starting valve 155, stopping or interruption of the machine operation may be had by operating a pedal 225 (upper left Fig. l1) to act on a valve 226, similar to the foot operated valve 58 (Fig. 2), thus connectinga branch line 227 from the line 61 to a line 228 at a cylinder 229 operating against the action of a spring 230 to rock the lever 148 to hold the disk 149 away from the valve 210 thereby to prevent and stop further shifting of the table 125. The cylinder 147 also has a spring 230.

There are two positions for the unit 205. Opening of the valve 203 cuts in the hold-down cylinders 140. A spring 231 yields to air pressure but sets the unit 205 to act as the valve 217 is opened to exhaust the cylinders 140. A yieldable link 232 (Fig. 10) holds the cylinder 136 from vibrating.

It is to be noted that there is herein disclosed compressed air as the liuid to carry thru, not only for two of the three line connections to each gun, but also for pigment agitation as brought about thru pump action P (upper right Fig. ll) on the contents of the reservoir 9.

While the released pressure in the pneumatic controls are factors of speed in the two action cycles, as to the forward course and recover of the piston rod 98 (Fig. 2) as well as the arm 131 (Fig. 11), there is the change of movement direction transition as well as the lapse or The valve means herein disclosed have inter-relation to regulate each of these details independently, thereby establishing a comprehensive range of adaptability to item of work and the agility, or lack thereof, of the workers. The set-up is designed to tit-in forv starting the equipment. This may be initially adjusted and brought into operation by manual attention to the panel at the right of the desk (Fig. l), or at the right of the rotary table (Fig. 9). Besides the range for hand controls, there may be speed-up to leave the hands free for other purposes, by adopting the pedals disclosed.

For the table construction, a valve 233 (top left center, Figs. 9, ll) is readily accessible at a convenient location for shutting o the operation of the guns 15.

With the treating medium being a more or less free owiilg substance, the upward throwing thereof to lodge thru the ports in the masks upon a region to be coated on an article, involves importance in predetermining the thickness or uniformity of spread of the medium, especially against side flow due to gravity. The flat or horizontal top for the table, as well as the desk, coact to `have the pigment, when deposited on the article, to stay on it. Furthermore, the flat top provides ready access for transfer of the article, as to and from a conveyor 2 in proximity, or even to some extent overlapping the machine of this invention. The carriers 4, 119", 138, are horizontal, responsive to relative shifting as to the tools or guns, whether by the rod 9S, or in lieu thereof, the arm 131 and the table 125.

The equipment as in normal production has a minimum of special equipment parts. The guns 15 may be similar, with ranges of adjustment therein as to the character of the spray discharge ports of the guns. There is universal direction and positioning range independent for eiachfgun. The-pigment reservoirs9, 14, may havevarioustotalcapacity` rangesawith.provision` to conform to advantageous handling of-thepigment, as well .as recharging and substitution. The,.conguration and dimensions oftthe carriers.4, 119,.138, are..adaptable to accommodate masks `comprehensive of thewide `range for operation of the equipment.

The self-exhausting yvalves as for air. are similar, thus to permit ready `replacement oany one thereof from a single reserve valve. This practice is carried thru as` to the various bleeder valves, the three-way valves, the cut-off valves, andthe regulators.` Of course, the liquid valves for throttling, one-.way check and the three-way valves, are different from the air valves.

, Installation upkeep has` simpliiication in the valve units internal structure identity generally, such as for the u nits 63, 154. Like housing forthe units 161, 166, '196, allows such to respond with one `less branch line therefrom, which mayas a reserve, have ,identity with the unit 63, witha port therefrom closed by a plug. A

plunger setting factor of departure is in the springs 212, 231, of the units 175, 205.

What is claimed `and it isdesired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic machine operated solely by fluid pressures for` controlling the `spray paintiugof articles, cornprising: a spray gun, means for supplying paint to said gun, means to hold the article `to be sprayed, means to move said article and gun relatively to each other, a first uid pressure means for operating said moving means, timing means controlling the operation of said moving means and controlled by said irst iiuid pressure means for controlling the operation of said gun with respect to the relative position of saidarticle, manual means for initiatingthe actuation of said timing means, andsecond fluid pressure means for controlling the operation of said ritming means.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said `means to move the article and gun relative to each other comprises a conveyor for said articles and a reciprocating pneumatic motor for operating said conveyor.

3. A machine according to claim l including safety means for locking said moving means in position during the spraying operation by said guns under the control of said timing means.

4. A machine according to, claim 2 including a plurality of spraying stations and a spray gun ateach station and wherein said conveyor successively moves said articles between said plurality of spraying stations.

5. A machine according to claim l wherein said means to hold said article include a masking means located between said article and said gun.

6. A machine according to claim 5 including means controlled by the position of said moving means for holding said article against said masking means during the spraying of said article by said spray gun.

7. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for supplying paint to said gun includes a reservoir of paint and a uid pressure operated means for agitating said paint in said reservoir.

8. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said means to move said article comprises a uid motor means for moving said article relative to said gun during the spraying by said gun.

9. An automatic machine operated solely by uid pressures for controlling the spray painting of articles,

lf2 comprising: a spray gun, apaintsupply for said gun, a.carrier.for.articles tothe.. sprayed, fluid pressure operated means to move said carrier and gun relative to each other, a uid pressure` power source, means to control saidrfluid pressure. to t. operate intermittently said spray gun and said carrier moving means with respect to the. relative position of said article to said spray gun, a fluid pressure operated and controlled continuons timer for controlling the operation of said control means to repeat thehcycle of spraying and moving said articles, manual means for starting and stopping said timer, and

4hydraulic pressurer means for controlling the speed of operationof said timer.

10.Aumachine according to claim 9 wherein said iluidtpressure power source comprises compressed air.

11. A machine according to claim 9 wherein said means to controlsaidiluidv pressure comprises at least a two way quick actingvalve and ducts from said fluid pressure source connected through said valve to said means for controlling said spray gun, moving said carrier, and operating said timer.

12. A machine according to claim 9 wherein said timer includes means for adjusting the rate of flow of tiuid in said hydraulic pressure means for controlling the time during which the spray gun is operated `to spray said article.

13. A machine according to clairn 12 including means for maintaining the supply of liquid for said hydraulic pressure means.

14. A machine according to claim 9 including addiditional separate hydraulic pressure means for controlling the speed of operation of said moving means.

15. An automatic machine operated solely by fluid pressure for controlling the spray painting of` articles, comprising: a spray gun, means for supplying paint to said gun, means to hold said article to be sprayed, means `to move said article and said gun relative to each other, means to operate said spray gun, a control valve for controlling the means for operation of said spray gun and said moving means with respect to the relative position of said article to said spray gun, a continuous timer for controlling the operation of said control valve. manual means to initiate and stop said timer, a common fluid pressure source for supplying power for operating said article moving means, said means for operating said spraying gun, said timer, and said control valve, and separate hydraulic pressure means for controlling the speed of operation of said timer` and moving means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,022,481 Schellenger Nov. 26, 1935 2,106,187 Naugler Jan. 25, 1938 2,222,630 Pickford Nov. 26, 1940 2,246,502 Bramsen June 24, 1941 2,281,169 Pattison Apr. 28, 1942 2,341,827 Sukumlyn Feb. 15, 1944 2,342,375 Shurley Feb. 22, 1944 2,358,258 Schweitzer e Sept. 14, 1944 2,383,023 Sykes et al Aug. 21, 1945 2,415,644 Leonhard Feb. 11, 1947 2,505,063 Palermo Apr. 25, 1950 2,505,530 Davis Apr. 25, 1950 2,574,686 Brown Nov. 13, 1951 2,615,421 Davis Oct. 28, 1952 

